Systems and methods for UAV docking

Abstract

A method for controlling operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), includes receiving one or more commands selected by a user via a remote controller of the UAV, and in response to a received landing command: identifying the vehicle from a plurality of vehicles for landing, navigating the UAV to travel in a substantially same direction as the vehicle, and controlling the UAV to land on the vehicle when the UAV approaches the vehicle. The one or more commands includes at least the landing command to land the UAV on a vehicle while the vehicle is in operation.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for controlling operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising:
 receiving one or more commands selected by a user via a remote controller of the UAV, the one or more commands including at least a landing command to land the UAV on a vehicle while the vehicle is in operation; and 
 in response to the received landing command:
 identifying the vehicle from a plurality of vehicles for landing; 
 navigating the UAV to travel in a substantially same direction as the vehicle; and 
 controlling the UAV to land on the vehicle when the UAV approaches the vehicle. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more commands are input by the user through a user input component, a user interface, a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, a touchscreen, or a display of the remote controller. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the remote controller is not coupled to the vehicle. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the remote controller is coupled to the vehicle. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein controlling the UAV to land on the vehicle when the UAV approaches the vehicle includes:
 controlling one or more propulsion mechanisms of the UAV to decrease an altitude of the UAV. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein controlling the UAV to land on the vehicle when the UAV approaches the vehicle includes:
 controlling one or more propulsion mechanisms of the UAV to control a lateral velocity of the UAV to fall within a predetermined range relative to an assessed lateral velocity of the vehicle. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein identifying the vehicle from the plurality of vehicles for landing includes:
 controlling one or more sensors of the UAV to detect one or more markers on the plurality of vehicles; and 
 determining that one of the plurality of vehicles with a specific marker is the vehicle for landing. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the specific marker indicates a landing position of the UAV on the vehicle. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 determining a relative distance between the vehicle and the UAV based on the detected marker of the vehicle and an altitude of the UAV. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 7 , wherein navigating the UAV to travel in the substantially same direction as the vehicle includes:
 navigating the UAV to travel in the substantially same direction as the vehicle based on the detected marker of the vehicle. 
 
     
     
       11. A device for controlling operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), comprising:
 a memory storing a program; and 
 a processor configured to execute the program to:
 receive one or more commands selected by a user via a remote controller of the UAV, the one or more commands including at least a landing command to land the UAV on a vehicle while the vehicle is in operation; and 
 in response to the received landing command:
 identify the vehicle from a plurality of vehicles for landing; 
 navigate the UAV to travel in a substantially same direction as the vehicle; and 
 control the UAV to land on the vehicle when the UAV approaches the vehicle. 
 
 
 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more commands are input by the user through a user input component, a user interface, a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, a touchscreen, or a display of the remote controller. 
     
     
       13. The device of  claim 11 , wherein the remote controller is not coupled to the vehicle. 
     
     
       14. The device of  claim 11 , wherein the remote controller is coupled to the vehicle. 
     
     
       15. The device of  claim 11 , wherein the processor is further configured to execute the program to, in response to the received landing command:
 control one or more propulsion mechanisms of the UAV to decrease an altitude of the UAV. 
 
     
     
       16. The device of  claim 11 , wherein the processor is further configured to execute the program to, in response to the received landing command:
 control one or more propulsion mechanisms of the UAV to control a lateral velocity of the UAV to fall within a predetermined range relative to an assessed lateral velocity of the vehicle. 
 
     
     
       17. The device of  claim 11 , wherein the processor is further configured to execute the program to, in response to the received landing command:
 control one or more sensors of the UAV to detect one or more markers on the plurality of vehicles; and 
 determine that one of the plurality of vehicles with a specific marker is the vehicle for landing. 
 
     
     
       18. The device of  claim 17 , wherein the specific marker indicates a landing position of the UAV on the vehicle. 
     
     
       19. The device of  claim 17 , wherein the processor is further configured to execute the program to:
 determine a relative distance between the vehicle and the UAV based on the detected marker of the vehicle and an altitude of the UAV. 
 
     
     
       20. The device of  claim 17 , wherein the processor is further configured to execute the program to, in response to the received landing command:
 navigate the UAV to travel in the substantially same direction as the vehicle based on the detected marker of the vehicle.